Several months ago, residents of the Chinese town of Xiamen did something unheard of in this country of powerful Communist rule — they protested a government action. The object of this protest was the proposed construction of a chemical plant. Stranger still is the result: The protest succeeded; the chemical plant was never built. Now a new plant, three times larger, is proposed for the city of Taizhou, and the residents there are readying a new protest.

The chemical to be produced is paraxylene, an ingredient in polyester, and it's to be part of a larger multibillion dollar petrochemical-processing complex. Taizhou is already bristling with chemical plants, and despite the government's statement that the opportunity will "enrich the people of Taizhou," the people, who have long complained of tainted air and water, are enraged.

"We want clear water and green hills, not toxic cash," said one posting.

The method of protesting involves residents taking mass "strolls" over to the site. We wish every success to the courageous "strolling" citizens of Taizhou.

Questions can be sent to Jim Parks at [email protected]. To find out more about Jim Parks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.